Systems and methods for peer-to-peer and ap traffic multiplexing

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and devices for concurrently allowing station-to-station transmissions and access point-to-station transmissions are described herein. In some aspects, a method comprises transmitting, to an access point, a request for an available channel frequency. The method further comprises receiving a coordination message from the access point. The coordination message may indicate that a first frequency channel is allocated for transmissions between a first device and a second device and that a second frequency channel is allocated for transmissions between a third device and a fourth device. The method further comprises transmitting a first data packet to the fourth device using the second frequency channel concurrently with a transmission of a second data packet between the first device and the second device using the first frequency channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/819,100, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODSFOR PEER-TO-PEER AND AP TRAFFIC MULTIPLEXING” and filed on May 3, 2013,and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/870,696, entitled“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PEER-TO-PEER AND AP TRAFFIC MULTIPLEXING” andfiled on Aug. 27, 2013, both of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present application relates generally to wireless communications,and more specifically to systems, methods, and devices for peer-to-peerand access point traffic multiplexing.

2. Background

In many telecommunication systems, communications networks are used toexchange messages among several interacting spatially-separated devices.Networks may be classified according to geographic scope, which couldbe, for example, a metropolitan area, a local area, or a personal area.Such networks would be designated respectively as a wide area network(WAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), local area network (LAN),wireless local area network (WLAN), or personal area network (PAN).Networks also differ according to the switching/routing technique usedto interconnect the various network nodes and devices (e.g., circuitswitching vs. packet switching), the type of physical media employed fortransmission (e.g., wired vs. wireless), and the set of communicationprotocols used (e.g., Internet protocol suite, SONET (SynchronousOptical Networking), Ethernet, etc.).

Wireless networks are often preferred when the network elements aremobile and thus have dynamic connectivity needs, or if the networkarchitecture is formed in an ad hoc, rather than fixed, topology.Wireless networks employ intangible physical media in an unguidedpropagation mode using electromagnetic waves in the radio, microwave,infra-red, optical, etc. frequency bands. Wireless networksadvantageously facilitate user mobility and rapid field deployment whencompared to fixed wired networks.

However, multiple wireless networks may exist in the same building, innearby buildings, and/or in the same outdoor area. The prevalence ofmultiple wireless networks may cause interference, reduced throughput(e.g., because each wireless network is operating in the same areaand/or spectrum), and/or prevent certain devices from communicating.Thus, improved systems, methods, and devices for communicating whenwireless networks are densely populated is desired.

SUMMARY

The systems, methods, and devices of the invention each have severalaspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirableattributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed bythe claims which follow, some features will now be discussed briefly.After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading thesection entitled “Detailed Description” one will understand how thefeatures of this invention provide advantages that include improvedcommunications between access points and stations in a wireless network.

One aspect of this disclosure provides a method for concurrentlyallowing devices to communicate. The method comprises transmitting, toan access point, a request for an available channel frequency. Themethod further comprises receiving a coordination message from theaccess point. The coordination message may indicate that a firstfrequency channel is allocated for transmissions between a first deviceand a second device and that a second frequency channel is allocated fortransmissions between a third device and a fourth device. The methodfurther comprises transmitting a first data packet to the fourth deviceusing the second frequency channel concurrently with a transmission of asecond data packet between the first device and the second device usingthe first frequency channel.

Another aspect of this disclosure provides an apparatus for concurrentlyallowing devices to communicate. The apparatus comprises means fortransmitting, to an access point, a request for an available channelfrequency. The apparatus further comprises means for receiving acoordination message from the access point. The coordination message mayindicate that a first frequency channel is allocated for transmissionsbetween a first device and a second device and that a second frequencychannel is allocated for transmissions between a third device and afourth device. The apparatus further comprises means for transmitting afirst data packet to the fourth device using the second frequencychannel concurrently with a transmission of a second data packet betweenthe first device and the second device using the first frequencychannel.

Another aspect of this disclosure provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising code that, when executed, causes anapparatus to transmit, to an access point, a request for an availablechannel frequency. The medium further comprises code that, whenexecuted, causes an apparatus to receive a coordination message from theaccess point. The coordination message may indicate that a firstfrequency channel is allocated for transmissions between a first deviceand a second device and that a second frequency channel is allocated fortransmissions between a third device and a fourth device. The mediumfurther comprises code that, when executed, causes an apparatus totransmit a first data packet to the fourth device using the secondfrequency channel concurrently with a transmission of a second datapacket between the first device and the second device using the firstfrequency channel.

Another aspect of this disclosure provides an apparatus for concurrentlyallowing devices to communicate. The apparatus comprises a transmitterconfigured to transmit, to an access point, a request for an availablechannel frequency. The apparatus further comprises a receiver configuredto receive a coordination message from the access point. Thecoordination message may indicate that a first frequency channel isallocated for transmissions between a first device and a second deviceand that a second frequency channel is allocated for transmissionsbetween a third device and a fourth device. The transmitter may befurther configured to transmit a first data packet to the fourth deviceusing the second frequency channel concurrently with a transmission of asecond data packet between the first device and the second device usingthe first frequency channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary wireless communication system in which aspectsof the present disclosure may be employed.

FIG. 2A shows a wireless communication system in which multiple wirelesscommunication networks are present.

FIG. 2B shows another wireless communication system in which multiplewireless communication networks are present.

FIG. 3 shows frequency multiplexing techniques that may be employedwithin the wireless communication systems of FIGS. 1 and 2B.

FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary wireless devicethat may be employed within the wireless communication systems of FIGS.1, 2B, and 3.

FIG. 5A shows a wireless communication system in which aspects of thepresent disclosure may be employed.

FIG. 5B shows a timing diagram in which aspects of the presentdisclosure may be employed.

FIG. 5C shows another timing diagram in which aspects of the presentdisclosure may be employed.

FIG. 6A shows another timing diagram in which aspects of the presentdisclosure may be employed.

FIG. 6B shows another timing diagram in which aspects of the presentdisclosure may be employed.

FIG. 6C shows another timing diagram in which aspects of the presentdisclosure may be employed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process for concurrently allowingstation-to-station transmissions and access point-to-stationtransmissions.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process for concurrently allowingstation-to-station transmissions and access point-to-stationtransmissions.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process for coordinating station-to-stationtransmissions and access point-to-station transmissions.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process for coordinating station-to-stationtransmissions and access point-to-station transmissions.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process for coordinating station-to-stationtransmissions and access point-to-station transmissions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods aredescribed more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structureor function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspectsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in theart. Based on the teachings herein one skilled in the art shouldappreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover anyaspect of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein,whether implemented independently of, or combined with, any other aspectof the invention. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or amethod may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forthherein. In addition, the scope of the invention is intended to coversuch an apparatus or method which is practiced using other structure,functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or otherthan the various aspects of the invention set forth herein. It should beunderstood that any aspect disclosed herein may be embodied by one ormore elements of a claim.

Although particular aspects are described herein, many variations andpermutations of these aspects fall within the scope of the disclosure.Although some benefits and advantages of the preferred aspects arementioned, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited toparticular benefits, uses, or objectives. Rather, aspects of thedisclosure are intended to be broadly applicable to different wirelesstechnologies, system configurations, networks, and transmissionprotocols, some of which are illustrated by way of example in thefigures and in the following description of the preferred aspects. Thedetailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of thedisclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the disclosure beingdefined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Popular wireless network technologies may include various types ofwireless local area networks (WLANs). A WLAN may be used to interconnectnearby devices together, employing widely used networking protocols. Thevarious aspects described herein may apply to any communicationstandard, such as a wireless protocol.

In some aspects, wireless signals may be transmitted according to ahigh-efficiency 802.11 protocol using orthogonal frequency-divisionmultiplexing (OFDM), direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)communications, a combination of OFDM and DSSS communications, or otherschemes. Implementations of the high-efficiency 802.11 protocol may beused for Internet access, sensors, metering, smart grid networks, orother wireless applications. Advantageously, aspects of certain devicesimplementing the high-efficiency 802.11 protocol using the techniquesdisclosed herein may include allowing for increased peer-to-peerservices (e.g., Miracast, WiFi Direct Services, Social WiFi, etc.) inthe same area, supporting increased per-user minimum throughputrequirements, supporting more users, providing improved outdoor coverageand robustness, and/or consuming less power than devices implementingother wireless protocols.

In some implementations, a WLAN includes various devices which are thecomponents that access the wireless network. For example, there may betwo types of devices: access points (“APs”) and clients (also referredto as stations, or “STAs”). In general, an AP may serve as a hub or basestation for the WLAN and an STA serves as a user of the WLAN. Forexample, an STA may be a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a mobile phone, etc. In an example, an STA connects to an AP viaa WiFi (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocol) compliant wireless link to obtaingeneral connectivity to the Internet or to other wide area networks. Insome implementations an STA may also be used as an AP.

An access point (“AP”) may also comprise, be implemented as, or known asa NodeB, Radio Network Controller (“RNC”), eNodeB, Base StationController (“BSC”), Base Transceiver Station (“BTS”), Base Station(“BS”), Transceiver Function (“TF”), Radio Router, Radio Transceiver, orsome other terminology.

A station “STA” may also comprise, be implemented as, or known as anaccess terminal (“AT”), a subscriber station, a subscriber unit, amobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a user terminal, auser agent, a user device, user equipment, or some other terminology. Insome implementations an access terminal may comprise a cellulartelephone, a cordless telephone, a Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”)phone, a wireless local loop (“WLL”) station, a personal digitalassistant (“PDA”), a handheld device having wireless connectioncapability, or some other suitable processing device connected to awireless modem. Accordingly, one or more aspects taught herein may beincorporated into a phone (e.g., a cellular phone or smartphone), acomputer (e.g., a laptop), a portable communication device, a headset, aportable computing device (e.g., a personal data assistant), anentertainment device (e.g., a music or video device, or a satelliteradio), a gaming device or system, a global positioning system device,or any other suitable device that is configured to communicate via awireless medium.

As discussed above, certain of the devices described herein mayimplement a high-efficiency 802.11 standard, for example. Such devices,whether used as an STA or AP or other device, may be used for smartmetering or in a smart grid network. Such devices may provide sensorapplications or be used in home automation. The devices may instead orin addition be used in a healthcare context, for example for personalhealthcare. They may also be used for surveillance, to enableextended-range Internet connectivity (e.g. for use with hotspots), or toimplement machine-to-machine communications.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary wireless communication system 100 in whichaspects of the present disclosure may be employed. The wirelesscommunication system 100 may operate pursuant to a wireless standard,for example a high-efficiency 802.11 standard. The wirelesscommunication system 100 may include an AP 104, which communicates withSTAs 106.

A variety of processes and methods may be used for transmissions in thewireless communication system 100 between the AP 104 and the STAs 106.For example, signals may be sent and received between the AP 104 and theSTAs 106 in accordance with OFDM/OFDMA techniques. If this is the case,the wireless communication system 100 may be referred to as anOFDM/OFDMA system. Alternatively, signals may be sent and receivedbetween the AP 104 and the STAs 106 in accordance with code divisionmultiple access (CDMA) techniques. If this is the case, the wirelesscommunication system 100 may be referred to as a CDMA system.

A communication link that facilitates transmission from the AP 104 toone or more of the STAs 106 may be referred to as a downlink (DL) 108,and a communication link that facilitates transmission from one or moreof the STAs 106 to the AP 104 may be referred to as an uplink (UL) 110.Alternatively, a downlink 108 may be referred to as a forward link or aforward channel, and an uplink 110 may be referred to as a reverse linkor a reverse channel.

The AP 104 may act as a base station and provide wireless communicationcoverage in a basic service area (BSA) 102. The AP 104 along with theSTAs 106 associated with the AP 104 and that use the AP 104 forcommunication may be referred to as a basic service set (BSS). It shouldbe noted that the wireless communication system 100 may not have acentral AP 104, but rather may function as a peer-to-peer networkbetween the STAs 106. Accordingly, the functions of the AP 104 describedherein may alternatively be performed by one or more of the STAs 106.

In some aspects, a STA 106 may be required to associate with the AP 104in order to send communications to and/or receive communications fromthe AP 104. In one aspect, information for associating is included in abroadcast by the AP 104. To receive such a broadcast, the STA 106 may,for example, perform a broad coverage search over a coverage region. Asearch may also be performed by the STA 106 by sweeping a coverageregion in a lighthouse fashion, for example. After receiving theinformation for associating, the STA 106 may transmit a referencesignal, such as an association probe or request, to the AP 104. In someaspects, the AP 104 may use backhaul services, for example, tocommunicate with a larger network, such as the Internet or a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN).

In an embodiment, the AP 104 includes an AP high-efficiency wirelesscomponent (HEWC) 154. The AP HEWC 154 may perform some or all of theoperations described herein to enable communications between the AP 104and the STAs 106 using the high-efficiency 802.11 protocol. Thefunctionality of the AP HEWC 154 is described in greater detail belowwith respect to FIGS. 2B, 3, 4, 5A-C, 6A-B, 7-8, and 11-12.

Alternatively or in addition, the STAs 106 may include a STA HEWC 156.The STA HEWC 156 may perform some or all of the operations describedherein to enable communications between the STAs 106 and the AP 104using the high-frequency 802.11 protocol. The functionality of the STAHEWC 156 is described in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 2B,3, 4, 5A-C, 6A-B, 9-10, and 13-14.

In some circumstances, a BSA may be located near other BSAs. Forexample, FIG. 2A shows a wireless communication system 200 in whichmultiple wireless communication networks are present. As illustrated inFIG. 2A, BSAs 202A, 202B, and 202C may be physically located near eachother. Despite the close proximity of the BSAs 202A-C, the APs 204A-Cand/or STAs 206A-H may each communicate using the same spectrum. Thus,if a device in the BSA 202C (e.g., the AP 204C) is transmitting data,devices outside the BSA 202C (e.g., APs 204A-B or STAs 206A-F) may sensethe communication on the medium.

Generally, wireless networks that use a regular 802.11 protocol (e.g.,802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, etc.) operate under a carrier sensemultiple access (CSMA) mechanism for medium access. According to CSMA,devices sense the medium and only transmit when the medium is sensed tobe idle. Thus, if the APs 204A-C and/or STAs 206A-H are operatingaccording to the CSMA mechanism and a device in the BSA 202C (e.g., theAP 204C) is transmitting data, then the APs 204A-B and/or STAs 206A-Foutside of the BSA 202C may not transmit over the medium even thoughthey are part of a different BSA.

FIG. 2A illustrates such a situation. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, AP 204Cis transmitting over the medium. The transmission is sensed by STA 206G,which is in the same BSA 202C as the AP 204C, and by STA 206A, which isin a different BSA than the AP 204C. While the transmission may beaddressed to the STA 206G and/or only STAs in the BSA 202C, STA 206Anonetheless may not be able to transmit or receive communications (e.g.,to or from the AP 204A) until the AP 204C (and any other device) is nolonger transmitting on the medium. Although not shown, the same mayapply to STAs 206D-F in the BSA 202B and/or STAs 206B-C in the BSA 202Aas well (e.g., if the transmission by the AP 204C is stronger such thatthe other STAs can sense the transmission on the medium).

The use of the CSMA mechanism then creates inefficiencies because someAPs or STAs outside of a BSA may be able to transmit data withoutinterfering with a transmission made by an AP or STA in the BSA. As thenumber of active wireless devices continues to grow, the inefficienciesmay begin to significantly affect network latency and throughput. Forexample, significant network latency issues may appear in apartmentbuildings, in which each apartment unit may include an access point andassociated stations. In fact, each apartment unit may include multipleaccess points, as a resident may own a wireless router, a video gameconsole with wireless media center capabilities, a television withwireless media center capabilities, a cell phone that can act like apersonal hot-spot, and/or the like. Correcting the inefficiencies of theCSMA mechanism may then be vital to avoid latency and throughput issuesand overall user dissatisfaction.

Such latency and throughput issues may not even be confined toresidential areas. For example, multiple access points may be located inairports, subway stations, and/or other densely-populated public spaces.Currently, WiFi access may be offered in these public spaces, but for afee. If the inefficiencies created by the CSMA mechanism are notcorrected, then operators of the wireless networks may lose customers asthe fees and lower quality of service begin to outweigh any benefits.

Accordingly, the high-efficiency 802.11 protocol described herein mayallow for devices to operate under a modified mechanism that minimizesthese inefficiencies and increases network throughput. Such a mechanismis described below with respect to FIGS. 2B, 3, and 4. Additionalaspects of the high-efficiency 802.11 protocol are described below withrespect to FIGS. 5A-14.

FIG. 2B shows a wireless communication system 250 in which multiplewireless communication networks are present. Unlike the wirelesscommunication system 200 of FIG. 2A, the wireless communication system250 may operate pursuant to the high-efficiency 802.11 standarddiscussed herein. The wireless communication system 250 may include anAP 254A, an AP 254B, and an AP 254C. The AP 254A may communicate withSTAs 256A-C, the AP 254B may communicate with STAs 256D-F, and the AP254C may communicate with STAs 256G-H.

A variety of processes and methods may be used for transmissions in thewireless communication system 250 between the APs 254A-C and the STAs256A-H. For example, signals may be sent and received between the APs254A-C and the STAs 256A-H in accordance with OFDM/OFDMA techniques orCDMA techniques.

The AP 254A may act as a base station and provide wireless communicationcoverage in a BSA 252A. The AP 254B may act as a base station andprovide wireless communication coverage in a BSA 252B. The AP 254C mayact as a base station and provide wireless communication coverage in aBSA 252C. It should be noted that each BSA 252A, 252B, and/or 252C maynot have a central AP 254A, 254B, or 254C, but rather may allow forpeer-to-peer communications between one or more of the STAs 256A-H.Accordingly, the functions of the AP 254A-C described herein mayalternatively be performed by one or more of the STAs 256A-H.

In an embodiment, the APs 254A-C and/or STAs 256A-H include ahigh-efficiency wireless component. As described herein, thehigh-efficiency wireless component may enable communications between theAPs and STAs using the high-efficiency 802.11 protocol. In particular,the high-efficiency wireless component may enable the APs 254A-C and/orSTAs 256A-H to use a modified mechanism that minimizes theinefficiencies of the CSMA mechanism (e.g., enables concurrentcommunications over the medium in situations in which interference wouldnot occur). The high-efficiency wireless component is described ingreater detail below with respect to FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the BSAs 252A-C are physically located neareach other. When, for example, AP 254A and STA 256B are communicatingwith each other, the communication may be sensed by other devices inBSAs 252B-C. However, the communication may only interfere with certaindevices, such as STA 256F and/or STA 256G. Under CSMA, AP 254B would notbe allowed to communicate with STA 256E even though such communicationwould not interfere with the communication between AP 254A and STA 256B.Thus, the high-efficiency 802.11 protocol operates under a modifiedmechanism that differentiates between devices that can communicateconcurrently and devices that cannot communicate concurrently. Suchclassification of devices may be performed by the high-efficiencywireless component in the APs 254A-C and/or the STAs 256A-H.

In an embodiment, the determination of whether a device can communicateconcurrently with other devices is based on a location of the device.For example, a STA that is located near an edge of the BSA may be in astate or condition such that the STA cannot communicate concurrentlywith other devices. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, STAs 206A, 206F, and 206Gmay be devices that are in a state or condition in which they cannotcommunicate concurrently with other devices. Likewise, a STA that islocated near the center of the BSA may be in a station or condition suchthat the STA can communicate with other devices. As illustrated in FIG.2, STAs 206B, 206C, 206D, 206E, and 206H may be devices that are in astate or condition in which they can communicate concurrently with otherdevices. Note that the classification of devices is not permanent.Devices may transition between being in a state or condition such thatthey can communicate concurrently and being in a state or condition suchthat they cannot communicate concurrently (e.g., devices may changestates or conditions when in motion, when associating with a new AP,when disassociating, etc.).

Furthermore, devices may be configured to behave differently based onwhether they are ones that are or are not in a state or condition tocommunicate concurrently with other devices. For example, devices thatare in a state or condition such that they can communicate concurrentlymay communicate within the same spectrum. However, devices that are in astate or condition such that they cannot communicate concurrently mayemploy certain techniques, such as spatial multiplexing or frequencydomain multiplexing, in order to communicate over the medium. Thecontrolling of the behavior of the devices may be performed by thehigh-efficiency wireless component in the APs 254A-C and/or the STAs256A-H.

In an embodiment, devices that are in a state or condition such thatthey cannot communicate concurrently use spatial multiplexing techniquesto communicate over the medium. For example, power and/or otherinformation may be embedded within the preamble of a packet transmittedby another device. A device in a state or condition such that the devicecannot communicate concurrently may analyze the preamble when the packetis sensed on the medium and decide whether or not to transmit based on aset of rules.

In another embodiment, devices that are in a state or condition suchthat they cannot communicate concurrently use frequency domainmultiplexing techniques to communicate over the medium. FIG. 3 showsfrequency multiplexing techniques that may be employed within thewireless communication systems 100 of FIGS. 1 and 250 of FIG. 2B. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, an AP 304A, 304B, 304C, and 304D may be presentwithin a wireless communication system 300. Each of the APs 304A, 304B,304C, and 304D may be associated with a different BSA and include thehigh-efficiency wireless component described herein.

As an example, the bandwidth of the communication medium may be 80 MHz.Under the regular 802.11 protocol, each of the APs 304A, 304B, 304C, and304D and the STAs associated with each respective AP attempt tocommunicate using the entire bandwidth, which can reduce throughput.However, under the high-efficiency 802.11 protocol using frequencydomain multiplexing, the bandwidth may be divided into four 20 MHzsegments 308, 310, 312, and 314 (e.g., channels), as illustrated in FIG.3. The AP 304A may be associated with segment 308, the AP 304B may beassociated with segment 310, the AP 304C may be associated with segment312, and the AP 304D may be associated with segment 314.

In an embodiment, when the APs 304A-D and the STAs that are in a stateor condition such that the STAs can communicate concurrently with otherdevices (e.g., STAs near the center of the BSA) are communicating witheach other, then each AP 304A-D and each of these STAs may communicateusing a portion of or the entire 80 MHz medium. However, when the APs304A-D and the STAs that are in a state or condition such that the STAscannot communicate concurrently with other devices (e.g., STAs near theedge of the BSA) are communicating with each other, then AP 304A and itsSTAs communicate using 20 MHz segment 308, AP 304B and its STAscommunicate using 20 MHz segment 310, AP 304C and its STAs communicateusing 20 MHz segment 312, and AP 304D and its STAs communicate using 20MHz segment 314. Because the segments 308, 310, 312, and 314 aredifferent portions of the communication medium, a first transmissionusing a first segment would not interference with a second transmissionusing a second segment.

Thus, APs and/or STAs, even those that are in a state or condition suchthat they cannot communicate concurrently with other devices, thatinclude the high-efficiency wireless component can communicateconcurrently with other APs and STAs without interference. Accordingly,the throughput of the wireless communication system 300 may beincreased. In the case of apartment buildings or densely-populatedpublic spaces, APs and/or STAs that use the high-efficiency wirelesscomponent may experience reduced latency and increased networkthroughput even as the number of active wireless devices increases,thereby improving user experience.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary functional block diagram of a wireless device402 that may be employed within the wireless communication systems 100,250, and/or 300 of FIGS. 1, 2B, and 3. The wireless device 402 is anexample of a device that may be configured to implement the variousmethods described herein. For example, the wireless device 402 maycomprise the AP 104, one of the STAs 106, one of the APs 254, one of theSTAs 256, and/or one of the APs 304.

The wireless device 402 may include a processor 404 which controlsoperation of the wireless device 402. The processor 404 may also bereferred to as a central processing unit (CPU). Memory 406, which mayinclude both read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM), mayprovide instructions and data to the processor 404. A portion of thememory 406 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).The processor 404 typically performs logical and arithmetic operationsbased on program instructions stored within the memory 406. Theinstructions in the memory 406 may be executable to implement themethods described herein.

The processor 404 may comprise or be a component of a processing systemimplemented with one or more processors. The one or more processors maybe implemented with any combination of general-purpose microprocessors,microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmablegate array (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers,state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware components, dedicatedhardware finite state machines, or any other suitable entities that canperform calculations or other manipulations of information.

The processing system may also include machine-readable media forstoring software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean any typeof instructions, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware,microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. Instructions mayinclude code (e.g., in source code format, binary code format,executable code format, or any other suitable format of code). Theinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause theprocessing system to perform the various functions described herein.

The wireless device 402 may also include a housing 408 that may includea transmitter 410 and/or a receiver 412 to allow transmission andreception of data between the wireless device 402 and a remote location.The transmitter 410 and receiver 412 may be combined into a transceiver414. An antenna 416 may be attached to the housing 408 and electricallycoupled to the transceiver 414. The wireless device 402 may also include(not shown) multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, multipletransceivers, and/or multiple antennas.

The wireless device 402 may also include a signal detector 418 that maybe used in an effort to detect and quantify the level of signalsreceived by the transceiver 414. The signal detector 418 may detect suchsignals as total energy, energy per subcarrier per symbol, powerspectral density and other signals. The wireless device 402 may alsoinclude a digital signal processor (DSP) 420 for use in processingsignals. The DSP 420 may be configured to generate a packet fortransmission. In some aspects, the packet may comprise a physical layerdata unit (PPDU).

The wireless device 402 may further comprise a user interface 422 insome aspects. The user interface 422 may comprise a keypad, amicrophone, a speaker, and/or a display. The user interface 422 mayinclude any element or component that conveys information to a user ofthe wireless device 402 and/or receives input from the user.

The wireless devices 402 may further comprise a high-efficiency wirelesscomponent 424 in some aspects. The high-efficiency wireless component424 may include a classifier unit 428 and a transmit control unit 430.As described herein, the high-efficiency wireless component 424 mayenable APs and/or STAs to use a modified mechanism that minimizes theinefficiencies of the CSMA mechanism (e.g., enables concurrentcommunications over the medium in situations in which interference wouldnot occur).

The modified mechanism may be implemented by the classifier unit 428 andthe transmit control unit 430. In an embodiment, the classifier unit 428determines which devices are in a state or condition such that they cancommunicate concurrently with other devices and which devices are in astate or condition such that they cannot communicate concurrently withother devices. In an embodiment, the transmit control unit 430 controlsthe behavior of devices. For example, the transmit control unit 430 mayallow certain devices to transmit concurrently on the same medium andallow other devices to transmit using a spatial multiplexing orfrequency domain multiplexing technique. The transmit control unit 430may control the behavior of devices based on the determinations made bythe classifier unit 428.

The various components of the wireless device 402 may be coupledtogether by a bus system 426. The bus system 426 may include a data bus,for example, as well as a power bus, a control signal bus, and a statussignal bus in addition to the data bus. Those of skill in the art willappreciate the components of the wireless device 402 may be coupledtogether or accept or provide inputs to each other using some othermechanism.

Although a number of separate components are illustrated in FIG. 4,those of skill in the art will recognize that one or more of thecomponents may be combined or commonly implemented. For example, theprocessor 404 may be used to implement not only the functionalitydescribed above with respect to the processor 404, but also to implementthe functionality described above with respect to the signal detector418 and/or the DSP 420. Further, each of the components illustrated inFIG. 4 may be implemented using a plurality of separate elements.

The wireless device 402 may comprise an AP 104, a STA 106, an AP 254, aSTA 256, and/or an AP 304, and may be used to transmit and/or receivecommunications. That is, either AP 104, STA 106, AP 254, STA 256, or AP304 may serve as transmitter or receiver devices. Certain aspectscontemplate signal detector 418 being used by software running on memory406 and processor 404 to detect the presence of a transmitter orreceiver.

Currently, the majority of communications made in a BSS are between anAP and a STA. However, peer-to-peer applications, where a STAcommunicates directly with another STA in the BSS, are expected tobecome more ubiquitous in the coming years. For example, cell phonesincreasingly have the ability to communicate directly with other cellphones (e.g., to share photos, music, video, etc.). By communicatingdirectly with each other, STAs can avoid potential latency issuesassociated with communications that must first pass through an AP.

There are two main protocols that can be used for peer-to-peercommunications. The first, tunneled direct link setup (TDLS), which isdefined by IEEE, allows for peer-to-peer communications between STAsthat are associated with the same AP. The second, WiFi Direct, which isa Wi-Fi Alliance protocol, allows a STA to behave similarly to an AP andconnect to other STAs.

However, neither protocol has the capability of coordinating an explicitcoexistence between peer-to-peer transmissions (e.g., transmissionsbetween STAs in a BSS) and co-located AP BSS transmissions (e.g.,transmissions between an AP and a STA in the BSS, referred to as APtraffic communications or transmissions). The lack of a protocol thatexplicitly defines such coordination may be problematic. For example,STAs engaging in peer-to-peer communications may interfere withAP-to-STA communications, and vice-versa. Furthermore, the network maysuffer from increased latency and reduced throughput because STAs may bewaiting for an AP to finish communicating with another STA or because anAP may be waiting for STAs to finish communicating.

Accordingly, an explicit coordination mechanism is described herein foruse with the high-efficiency 802.11 protocol. The coordination mechanismmay be based on a multiplexing of medium access in frequency or on amultiplexing of medium access in time.

Frequency Domain Multiplexing

In an embodiment, a coordination mechanism based on a multiplexing ofmedium access in frequency (e.g., referred to as frequency domainmultiplexing) allows for concurrent peer-to-peer and AP trafficcommunications. For example, a communication medium may have a certainbandwidth (e.g., 80 MHz). Normally, a portion or the entire bandwidth isused by the AP during communications to and from the STAs. However, asdescribed herein, a portion of the bandwidth of the communication medium(e.g., 20 MHz) may be reserved for AP traffic communications, whereasanother portion of the bandwidth of the communication medium (e.g., 20MHz) may be reserved for peer-to-peer communications. In other words,the communication medium may be divided into segments or channels, andone or more of the segments or channels may be reserved for AP trafficcommunications or peer-to-peer communications.

The segments or channels could each have the same bandwidth or could beof different bandwidths. For example, one channel or segment could havea bandwidth of 20 MHz and another could have a bandwidth of 40 MHz.Furthermore, the channels or segments may or may not be contiguous. Forexample, two channels or segments may be contiguous if they coverconsecutive frequency ranges. If two channels or segments each have abandwidth of 20 MHz, the two channels or segments may be contiguous ifthey cover a 40 MHz range, such as from 1000 MHz to 1040 MHz.

FIG. 5A shows a wireless communication system 500 in which aspects ofthe present disclosure may be employed. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, thewireless communication system 500 includes a BSA 502. The BSA 502includes an AP 504 and STAs 506A-F. In an embodiment, the AP 504 and theSTAs 506A-F each include a high-efficiency wireless component describedherein. In other embodiments, either the AP 504 or the STAs 506A-Finclude the high-efficiency wireless component described herein.

The AP 504 and the STA 506A may communicate with each other viacommunication 510. Communication 510 may be an AP traffic communication.The AP 504 and the STA 506F may communicate via communication 516.Communication 516 may also be an AP traffic communication. The STA 506Band the STA 506C may communicate with each other via communication 512.Communication 512 may be a peer-to-peer communication. The STA 506D andthe STA 506E may communicate with each other via communication 514.Communication 514 may also be a peer-to-peer communication. Although notshown, the AP 504 and the STAs 506B-C and 506D-E may have the ability tocommunicate with each other as well. Likewise, although not shown, STA506A and 506F may have the ability to communicate with each other.

In an embodiment, the AP 504 transmits a message to one or more of theSTAs 506A-F indicating a portion of the communication medium that isavailable for peer-to-peer communications. Because the portion of thecommunication medium that is available for peer-to-peer communicationsmay be separate from the portion of the communication medium that isavailable for AP 504 traffic communications, the peer-to-peercommunications may be concurrent with DL transmissions from the AP 504to a STA 506A-F and/or UL transmissions from a STA 506A-F to the AP 504.In some embodiments, the AP 504 uses downlink frequency-divisionmultiple access (DL-FDMA)/multiuser multiple input multiple output(MU-MIMO), which would allow the peer-to-peer communications to beconcurrent with DL transmissions from the AP 504 to two or more STAs506A-F and/or uplink frequency-divisional multiple access(UL-FDMA)/MU-MIMO, which would allow the peer-to-peer communications tobe concurrent with UL transmissions from two or more STAs 506A-F to theAP 504.

In another embodiment, the AP 504 transmit a message to one or more ofthe STAs 506A-F and one or more other APs, not shown, indicating aportion of the communication medium that is available for communicationsbetween the AP 504 and the STAs 506A-F and between other APs and otherSTAs, not shown. Because the portion of the communication medium that isavailable for communications between the AP 504 and the STAs 506A-F maybe separate from the portion of the communication medium that isavailable for communications between the other APs and other STAs, notshown, the communications between the AP 504 and the STAs 506A-F may beconcurrent with the communications between other APs and other STAs, notshown.

FIG. 5B shows a timing diagram in which aspects of the presentdisclosure may be employed. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the communicationmedium is divided into four channels: channel 520, channel 522, channel524, and channel 526. In an embodiment, channels 520, 522, 524, and 526are contiguous (e.g., each channel 520, 522, 524, and 526 coversconsecutive 20 MHz frequency ranges, such as from 1000 MHz to 1080 MHz).In other embodiments, channels 520, 522, 524, and 526 are notcontiguous. While FIG. 5B (and FIGS. 5B, 6A, and 6B described below)illustrates four channels, this is merely exemplary as the techniquesdisclosed herein may apply for any number of channels.

In an embodiment, the AP 504 transmits a message indicating that channel520 and channel 526 are reserved for AP 504 traffic communications andthat channel 522 and 524 are reserved for peer-to-peer communications.In a further embodiment, the message indicates that the channel 520 isreserved for communication 510 (e.g., communications between the AP 504and the STA 506A), that the channel 522 is reserved for communication512 (e.g., communications between the STA 506B and the STA 506C), thatthe channel 524 is reserved for communication 514 (e.g., communicationsbetween the STA 506D and the STA 506E), and that the channel 526 isreserved for communication 516 (e.g., communications between the AP 504and the STA 506F).

The allocation of STAs 506A-F and channels 520, 522, 524, and 526 mayfurther be provided to other APs in other BSAs. For example, the BSA 502may be located near other BSAs, such as in FIGS. 2A-B. Coordinating withother BSAs may allow the AP 504 and/or the STAs 506A-F to makecommunications at the same time as other APs or STAs in other BSAs(e.g., the other APs or STAs may use a different channel based on theallocation provided by AP 504). In this way, network throughput can beincreased even when the AP 504 or STAs 506A-F are located within a densearea of wireless networks.

In some embodiments, the communications 510, 512, 514, and/or 516 may betransmitted at different times. In other embodiments, not shown, thecommunications 510, 512, 514, and/or 516 may be transmitted concurrently(e.g., at the same time).

In an embodiment, the coordination of peer-to-peer communications and APtraffic communications is enforced via an exchange of messages betweenthe AP 504 and the STAs 506A-F. The messages may be initiated by the AP504 or any of the STAs 506A-F, and the allocation of the bandwidth inthe communication medium may be static or dynamic.

As described above, the AP 504 may transmit a coordination message toone or more STAs 506A-F or one or more groups of STAs 506A-F indicatingavailable bandwidth for peer-to-peer communications. In some aspects,the coordination message may be transmitted to only the STAs 506A-F oronly the one or more groups of STAs 506A-F that have indicated a desireto engage in peer-to-peer communications. The AP 504 may staticallyassign channels 520, 522, 524, and/or 526 to be used for peer-to-peercommunications or AP 504 traffic communications, and such allocation orassignments may be provided in the coordination message and/oradditional management signals. Such allocation or assignments may bevalid for a certain interval of time. Such allocation or assignments mayalso be based on an earlier request from a peer-to-peer STA 506A-F(e.g., an earlier request from a STA 506A-F indicating a desire toengage in peer-to-peer communications). The coordination message and/oradditional management signals may be an information element (IE), amanagement frame sent to the STAs 506A-F that have indicated a desire toengage in peer-to-peer communications, or included in a beacon message.The coordination message and/or additional management signals may informboth STAs 506A-F that have indicated a desire to engage in peer-to-peercommunications and STAs 506A-F that have not indicated a desire toengage in peer-to-peer communications (e.g., those that will engage inAP traffic communications) of the channel allocation.

Alternatively, the AP 504 may explicitly or implicitly dynamicallyassign channels 520, 522, 524, and/or 526 to be used for peer-to-peercommunications or AP 504 traffic communications. For example, the AP 504may explicitly dynamically assign the channels by determining theassignment prior to a data transmission from the AP 504 to any of theSTAs 506A-F and when the number of used channels is known. As anotherexample, the AP 504 may explicitly dynamically assign the channels bydetermining the assignment prior to a scheduled data transmission fromone of the STAs 506A-F and when the number of used channels is known.The allocation or assignments (and specifically which channels areavailable for peer-to-peer communications) may be provided in thecoordination message. Additionally, the coordination message may includethe duration of time that a channel will be available for peer-to-peercommunications and/or AP 504 traffic communications.

The AP 504 may implicitly dynamically assign the channels based on theoccurrence of an AP 504 traffic communication on a particular channel.For example, if channel 520 includes an occurrence of an AP 504 trafficcommunication and the other channels 522, 524, and 526 are idle, the AP504 may implicitly grant access to channels 522, 524, and/or 526 tothose STAs that desire to engage in peer-to-peer communications. In anembodiment, the AP 504 implicitly grants access to secondary channels(e.g., 520, 522, 524) for peer-to-peer communications when a primarychannel (e.g., 526), which is the default channel used forcommunications, is busy with an AP 504 traffic communication. In thiscase, the use of the implicit dynamic assignment (e.g., the implicitgranting of access to the secondary channels) may be indicated by the AP504 with one or more bits in a management message transmitted to theSTAs 506A-F and/or indicated by the AP 504 via inclusion in a beaconmessage. The management message may grant to the STAs that desire toengage in peer-to-peer communications the use of the available bandwidthconcurrently with transmissions to and from the AP 504 (e.g., the AP 504traffic communications). In order to facilitate the implicit use ofunused bandwidth, the AP 504 may precede its transmissions with a framethat may be decodable by all STAs in the BSS that desire to engage inpeer-to-peer communications (e.g., a clear to send (CTS) message or arequest to send (RTS) message) such that those STAs are informed of thestart of an implicit channel allocation and of a duration of theimplicit channel allocation. In a further embodiment, when the channelallocation is implicitly dynamically assigned, the STAs that desire toengage in peer-to-peer communications access the available bandwidthusing CSMA.

As described above, a STA 506A-F may initiate a coordination message,requesting available bandwidth (e.g., an available channel) from the AP504 for peer-to-peer communications. Based on the request from the STA506A-F, the AP 504 may statically assign channels 520, 522, 524, and/or526 to be used for peer-to-peer communications or AP 504 trafficcommunications, and such allocation or assignments may be provided inthe coordination message and/or additional management signals. Suchallocation or assignments may be valid for a certain interval of time.Such allocation or assignments may also be based on an earlier requestfrom a peer-to-peer STA 506A-F (e.g., an earlier request from a STA506A-F indicating a desire to engage in peer-to-peer communications).Such allocation or assignments may be fixed, meaning no more requestsfrom the STAs 506A-F may be necessary in order to obtain access to achannel for peer-to-peer communications.

Alternatively, based on the request from the STA 506A-F, the AP 504 maydynamically assign channels 520, 522, 524, and/or 526 to be used forpeer-to-peer communications or AP 504 traffic communications. Forexample, the STA 506A-F may request access to a channel for peer-to-peercommunications, and the AP 504 may grant and/or deny this request. Afterpeer-to-peer transmissions are complete, a STA 506A-F may again requestaccess to a channel for peer-to-peer communications if the STA 506A-Fdesires to engage in such communications at a later time.

FIG. 5C shows another timing diagram in which aspects of the presentdisclosure may be employed. In particular, FIG. 5C illustratescommunications between the AP 504 and the STAs 506A-F when a STA 506A-Finitiates the coordination message and when the AP 504 dynamicallyassigns the channels. As illustrated in FIG. 5C, one of the STAs 506A-Ftransmits a peer request to send (PRTS) message 530 to the AP 504. TheAP 504 may inform the STAs 506A-F that desire to engage in peer-to-peercommunications that peer-to-peer transmissions are to be granted by theAP 504. An indication of the grant by the AP 504 may be communicated tothe STAs 506A-F in a management frame (e.g., a probe response, anassociation response, a beacon message, etc.). As an example, a STA,such as a STA 506A-F, that desires to engage in peer-to-peercommunications and that operates in a BSS where the AP grants or deniespeer-to-peer transmissions may follow the behavior described herein. ThePRTS message 530 may be transmitted over the requested channels (e.g.,channels 522 and 524) or over a primary channel (e.g., channel 526). ThePRTS message 530 may indicate a desire to use certain channels. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the PRTS message 530 may indicate adesire by the STA 506A-F to engage in peer-to-peer communications usingchannels 522 and 524. The STA 506A-F may choose the requested channel(s)based on a sensed activity on the channel(s) (e.g., the STA 506A-F maychoose a channel(s) that is idle).

The PRTS message 530 may be similar to or the same as an RTS messagedefined in the IEEE 802.11 protocol. An indication that the STA 506A-Fis requesting a peer-to-peer transmission opportunity may be indicatedin several ways. For example, the request may be implicitly indicated bythe address of the sender, which may have previously indicated to the AP504 the desire for a peer-to-peer operation. As another example, therequest may be explicitly indicated by the use of a differenttransmission media access control (TX MAC) address that may beassociated with peer-to-peer communications in general or that may beassociated specifically with the STA 506A-F that transmitted the PRTSmessage 530 for peer-to-peer communications. As another example, therequest may be explicitly indicated by the use of an HTC control fieldadded to a legacy RTS. Some of the available bits may be reused forindicating the peer-to-peer communication request. As another example,the request may be explicitly indicated by the definition of a new frameformat. As another example, the request may not be implicitly orexplicitly indicated. Instead, the AP 504 may simply grant a CTS and theSTA 506A-F that desires to engage in peer-to-peer communications isallowed to transmit to other STAs 506A-F instead of just the AP 504.

In an embodiment, the AP 504 responds with a peer clear to send (PCTS)message (e.g., a coordination message) 532. The PCTS message 532indicates whether the request made by the STA 504A-F is granted and/ordenied. The PCTS message 532 may also indicate the amount of timegranted for peer-to-peer transmissions, which may be the same ordifferent than the time indicated in the PRTS message 530. The PCTSmessage 532 may also indicate the bandwidth allowed for the peer-to-peertransmissions. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the PCTS message532 grants the STA 504A-F request to communicate over channel 524, butrejects the STA 504A-F request to communicate over channel 522. The PCTSmessage 532 may be transmitted to the STA 506A-F that transmitted thePRTS message 530 or to some or all of the STAs 506A-F. The PCTS message532 may be transmitted over the channel for which the request has beengranted (e.g., channel 524) or the primary channel (e.g., channel 526).The PCTS message 532 may have the same or nearly same format as a CTS(e.g., the PCTS message 532 may or may not include additionalinformation).

The PCTS message 532 may grant access to (or deny access to) a channelonly to the STA 506A-F that made the request (e.g., transmitted the PRTSmessage 530). Alternatively, the PCTS message 532 may grant access to(or deny access to) a channel to any STAs 506A-F that engages inpeer-to-peer communications. In this case, the STAs 506A-F may thencontend using contention techniques, such as CSMA. As anotheralternative, the PCTS message 532 may grant access to (or deny accessto) a channel to any STA 506A-F. In this case, the STAs 506A-F may thencontend using contention techniques, such as CSMA.

Once the PCTS message 532 is received and at least one request isgranted, the STA 506A-F that requested the channel(s) (and/or other STAs506A-F) may begin the peer-to-peer communications. For example, STA 506Dmay have transmitted the PRTS message 530. After receiving the PCTSmessage 532, the STA 506D may communicate with STA 506E overcommunication 514.

For those channels which are not allocated for peer-to-peertransmissions (e.g., channels 520, 522, and 526), the AP 504 may usethose channels for AP 504 traffic communications (e.g., UL and/or DLcommunications with STAs 506A-F). The AP 504 traffic communications maybegin a time after the PCTS message 532 is transmitted. Note that an AP504 traffic communication and/or a peer-to-peer communication may usechannels of different bandwidths. For example, communication 510 usestwice the bandwidth (e.g., channels 520 and 522) as communication 514(e.g., which only uses one channel 524).

In an embodiment, the PRTS message 530 and/or the PCTS message 532provide protection for peer-to-peer and/or AP 504 traffic communicationsvia a network allocation vector (NAV).

In other embodiments, the peer-to-peer STAs 506A-F may request access toa channel, such as the channel 524, via a regular access procedure(e.g., RTS/CTS messages). The AP 504 may use the bandwidth not assignedto the peer-to-peer STAs 506A-F.

Time Multiplexing

In an embodiment, a coordination mechanism based on a multiplexing ofmedium access in time (e.g., referred to as time multiplexing) allowsfor coordinated peer-to-peer and AP traffic communications orcoordinated AP traffic communications among a plurality of APs. Forexample, the AP 504 may reserve an interval of time for peer-to-peercommunications. FIG. 6A shows another timing diagram in which aspects ofthe present disclosure may be employed. In particular, FIG. 6A showsintervals of time reserved for AP 504 traffic communications andintervals of time reserved for peer-to-peer communications. For example,channel 526 may include both AP 504 traffic communications andpeer-to-peer communications. Time period 602 may be reserved for AP 504traffic communications. Time period 604 may be reserved for peer-to-peercommunications. Time period 606 may be reserved for peer-to-peercommunications. As another example, the AP 504 may reserve an intervalof time for AP traffic communications (e.g., communications with otherSTAs, not shown) made by APs other than the AP 504, not shown.

In an embodiment, the coordination of peer-to-peer communications and APtraffic communications is enforced via an exchange of messages betweenthe AP 504 and the STAs 506A-F. The messages may be initiated by the AP504 or any of the STAs 506A-F, and the allocation of the bandwidth andtime in the communication medium may be static or dynamic.

In another embodiment, the coordination of AP traffic communicationsamong a plurality of APs is enforced via an exchange of messages betweenthe AP 504 and other APs, not shown. The messages may be initiated bythe AP 504 or any of the other APs, not shown, and the allocation of thebandwidth and time in the communication medium may be static or dynamic.

If the allocation is static, a restricted access window (RAW), such asthe RAW defined in IEEE 802.11 ah, may be used. The RAW may restrictaccess to peer-to-peer communications (or traffic communications byother APs, not shown) to only a specific interval of time, asillustrated in FIG. 6A. The RAW may further restrict access to aspecified group of STAs. For example, a first group of STAs 506A-F maybe those associated with the AP 504 and that intend to communicate withthe AP 504. A second group of STAs 506A-F may be those associated withthe AP 504 and that intend to communicate with other STAs (e.g., STAs506A-F) in the same BSS rather than the AP 504. A third group of STAs506A-F may be those that are not associated with the AP 504, but intendto communicate with the AP 504. A fourth group of STAs 506A-F may bethose that are not associated with the AP 504 and intend to communicatewith another AP. A fifth group of STAs 506A-F may be those that are notassociated with the AP 504 and that intend to communicate with otherSTAs (e.g., STAs 506A-F) rather than the AP 504. A sixth group of STAs506A-F may be any combination of STAs in the first through fifth groups.The interval of time may be restricted to those STAs in any one or moreof the groups.

STAs 506A-F may transmit a request to the AP 504 to be classified in anyone or more of the groups. If a network includes a plurality of APs 504,the scheduling of the groups can be coordinated across the APs 504. Forexample, the APs 504 could coordinate such that all of the APs 504 allowfor peer-to-peer communications at a same time. As another example, someor all of the APs 504 could coordinate such that some or all of the APs504 allow for peer-to-peer communications at different times.

The interval(s) of time may be transmitted to the STAs 506A-F via acoordination message and/or additional management signals. Thecoordination message and/or additional management signals may be aninformation element (IE), a management frame sent to the STAs 506A-Fthat have indicated a desire to engage in peer-to-peer communications,or included in a beacon message. The allocation of the interval of timefor peer-to-peer communications can be changed at some or each time anIE, a management frame, and/or a beacon message is transmitted. STAs506A-F may decode each IE, management frame, and/or beacon message thatthey receive (e.g., if a respective STA 506A-F is not associated with anAP) or may decode IEs, management frames, and/or beacon messagesreceived from an AP that the respective STA 506A-F is associated with.The coordination message and/or additional management signals may informboth STAs 506A-F that have indicated a desire to engage in peer-to-peercommunications and STAs 506A-F that have not indicated a desire toengage in peer-to-peer communications (e.g., those that will engage inAP traffic communications) of the channel allocation.

Alternatively, the allocation may be defined dynamically by the AP 504.In an embodiment, the AP 504 transmits a coordination message on thecommunication medium, granting a specific time (e.g., BSS-TXOP) thatpeer-to-peer communications by STAs 506A-F or one or more groups of STAs506A-F (or traffic communications by other APs, not shown) can be made.For example, the AP 504 may grant time only for STAs 506A-F associatedwith the AP 504 to allow the STAs 506A-F to communicate with the AP 504.As another example, the AP 504 may grant time only for STAs 506A-Fassociated with any AP to allow the STAs 506A-F to communicate with theAP that the respective STA 506A-F is associated with. Granting time onlyfor specific STAs 506A-F or groups of STAs 506A-F may preventinterference from peer-to-peer communications and/or communications fromother BSSs (e.g., traffic communications by other APs, not shown, fromother BSSs). As another example, the AP 504 may grant time only for STAs506A-F associated with APs in the same network (e.g., based on SSID).

The coordination message may be generated based on a request for accessreceived by one or more of the STAs 506A-F. The coordination message mayalso be generated based on information known to the AP 504 that a STA506A-F desires to make peer-to-peer communications. The desire from STAs506A-F to engage in peer-to-peer communications (or communications withAPs) may be indicated to the AP 504 via the use of a managementindication, via the use of a control frame, and/or via the use of aquality of service (QoS) control field in a data frame sent to the AP504.

The coordination message can be a legacy compatible frame (e.g., acontrol or management frame) that includes a NAV indication. Some or allSTAs 506A-F may be configured to set the NAV, except for the STAs 506A-Fthat are able to decode the payload and find that they belong to a groupthat time has been granted to (e.g., a TXOP group). The coordinationmessage may have a format similar to the format of a CTS (e.g., a BCTS).For example, the coordination message may have format similar to alegacy CTS-to-self (e.g., a message with a destination address that isthe same as the sender address), but with a BSSID address with amulticast bit set. STAs that are associated with the AP can recognizethe BSSID and can also be informed, via the multicast bit, that the STAsdo not need to set the NAV. As another example, the coordination messagemay have format similar to a legacy CTS-to-self, but with one of thereserved bits set to one in either the frame control field, the durationfield, and/or the SERVICE field. As another example, the coordinationmessage may have format similar to a legacy CTS-to-self, but with an HTCfield where one or more bits in the HTC field are used for indicatingwhether STAs of the BSS and/or STAs that are not engaging inpeer-to-peer communications need to defer. As another example, thecoordination message could be a new control frame. The new control framecould follow a legacy format and include a duration for the NAV setting,a BSSID (e.g., in case the NAV can be ignored only from STAs of aspecific BSS), and/or a group(s) that time has been granted for.Presence of the BSSID may indicate that only STAs of the BSS are allowedto contend. Alternatively, one or more bits (e.g., in the new controlframe) can explicitly convey the condition that only STAs of the BSS areallowed to contend.

In another embodiment, the AP 504 transmits a coordination message onthe communication medium, granting a specific time (e.g., P2P-TXOP) thatpeer-to-peer communications by STAs 506A-F or one or more groups of STAs506A-F (or traffic communications by other APs, not shown) can be made.For example, the AP 504 may grant time for peer-to-peer communicationsonly to STAs 506A-F of the BSS of the AP 504. As another example, the AP504 may grant time for peer-to-peer communications only to STAs 506A-Fof any BSS. As another example, the AP 504 may grant time forpeer-to-peer communications only to STAs 506A-F or groups of STAs 506A-Fthat are identified (e.g., via the STA address or group address) in thecoordination message. The coordination message may have a format similarto the format of a CTS (e.g., a PCTS).

In another embodiment, the AP 504 transmits a message on thecommunication medium, scheduling times that specific peer-to-peer STAs506A-F are allowed to transmit. The message may include the time foreach peer-to-peer STA and an identity of the STA or group of STAs (e.g.,a STA address).

In another embodiment, the AP 504 includes in a beacon message anindication of peer-to-peer intolerance. The peer-to-peer intolerance mayindicates to STAs that the STAs of a BSS are not allowed to access thecommunication medium for peer-to-peer communications unless explicitlyallowed to by the AP 504 (e.g., via another communication message).

In another embodiment, the dynamic allocation may be indicated by the AP504 with one or more bits in a management message transmitted to theSTAs 506A-F and/or indicated by the AP 504 via inclusion in a beaconmessage. The management message may grant to the STAs that desire toengage in peer-to-peer communications the use of bandwidth during a settime. The AP 504 may precede its transmissions with a frame that may bedecodable by all STAs in the BSS that desire to engage in peer-to-peercommunications (e.g., a clear to send (CTS) message or a request to send(RTS) message) such that those STAs are informed of the start of anavailable peer-to-peer transmission period and of a duration of thatperiod.

FIG. 6B shows another timing diagram in which aspects of the presentdisclosure may be employed. In particular, FIG. 6B illustratescommunications between the AP 504 and the STAs 506A-F when a STA 506A-Finitiates the coordination message and when the AP 504 dynamicallyassigns the channels. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, one of the STAs 506A-Ftransmits a peer request to send (PRTS) message 630 to the AP 504. TheAP 504 may inform the STAs 506A-F that desire to engage in peer-to-peercommunications that peer-to-peer transmissions are to be granted by theAP 504. An indication of the grant by the AP 504 may be communicated tothe STAs 506A-F in a management frame (e.g., a probe response, anassociation response, a beacon message, etc.). As an example, a STA,such as a STA 506A-F, that desires to engage in peer-to-peercommunications and that operates in a BSS where the AP grants or deniespeer-to-peer transmissions may follow the behavior described herein. ThePRTS message 630 may be transmitted over the requested channels (e.g.,channels 524 and 526) or over a primary channel (e.g., channel 526). ThePRTS message 630 may indicate a desire to use certain channels. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the PRTS message 630 may indicate adesire by the STA 506A-F to engage in peer-to-peer communications usingchannels 524 and 526. The STA 506A-F may choose the requested channel(s)based on a sensed activity on the channel(s) (e.g., the STA 506A-F maychoose a channel(s) that is idle).

The PRTS message 630 may be similar to or the same as an RTS messagedefined in the IEEE 802.11 protocol. An indication that the STA 506A-Fis requesting a peer-to-peer transmission opportunity may be indicatedin several ways. For example, the request may be implicitly indicated bythe address of the sender, which may have previously indicated to the AP504 the desire for a peer-to-peer operation. As another example, therequest may be explicitly indicated by the use of a different TX MACaddress that may be associated with peer-to-peer communications ingeneral or that may be associated specifically with the STA 506A-F thattransmitted the PRTS message 630 for peer-to-peer communications. Asanother example, the request may be explicitly indicated by the use ofan HTC control field added to a legacy RTS. Some of the available bitsmay be reused for indicating the peer-to-peer communication request. Asanother example, the request may be explicitly indicated by thedefinition of a new frame format. As another example, the request maynot be implicitly or explicitly indicated. Instead, the AP 504 maysimply grant a CTS and the STA 506A-F that desires to engage inpeer-to-peer communications is allowed to transmit to other STAs 506A-Finstead of just the AP 504.

In an embodiment, the AP 504 responds with a peer clear to send (PCTS)message (e.g., a coordination message) 632. The PCTS message 632indicates whether the request made by the STA 504A-F is granted and/ordenied. The PCTS message 632 may also indicate the amount of timegranted for peer-to-peer transmissions, which may be the same ordifferent than the time indicated in the PRTS message 630. The PCTSmessage 632 may also indicate the bandwidth allowed for the peer-to-peertransmissions. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the PCTS message632 grants the STA 504A-F request to communicate over channels 524 and526. The PCTS message 632 may be transmitted to the STA 506A-F thattransmitted the PRTS message 630 or to some or all of the STAs 506A-F.The PCTS message 632 may be transmitted over the channel for which therequest has been granted (e.g., channels 524 and 524) or the primarychannel (e.g., channel 526). The PCTS message 632 may have the same ornearly same format as a CTS (e.g., the PCTS message 632 may or may notinclude additional information).

The PCTS message 632 may grant access to (or deny access to) a channelonly to the STA 506A-F that made the request (e.g., transmitted the PRTSmessage 630). Alternatively, the PCTS message 632 may grant access to(or deny access to) a channel to any STAs 506A-F that engages inpeer-to-peer communications. In this case, the STAs 506A-F may thencontend using contention techniques, such as CSMA. As anotheralternative, the PCTS message 632 may grant access to (or deny accessto) a channel to any STA 506A-F. In this case, the STAs 506A-F may thencontend using contention techniques, such as CSMA.

Once the PCTS message 632 is received and at least one request isgranted, the STA 506A-F that requested the channel(s) (and/or other STAs506A-F) may begin the peer-to-peer communications. For example, STA 506Dmay have transmitted the PRTS message 630. After receiving the PCTSmessage 632, the STA 506D may communicate with STA 506E overcommunication 514.

FIG. 6C shows another timing diagram in which aspects of the presentdisclosure may be employed. In particular, FIG. 6C illustratescommunications between the AP 504 and the STAs 506A-F when a STA 506A-Finitiates the coordination message and when the AP 504 dynamicallyassigns the channels. As illustrated in FIG. 6C one of the STAs 506A-Ftransmits a PRTS message 640 to another STA 506A-F. The PRTS message 640is transmitted to reserve an interval of time for peer-to-peercommunications (e.g., a TXOP time 644). The STA 506A-F that the PRTSmessage 640 is intended for may reply with a frame (e.g., PCTS message642) granting the TXOP time 644. During the TXOP time 644, anypeer-to-peer STA 506A-F may contend for access to the communicationmedium. For example, STA 506D and STA 506E may communicate first viacommunication 514 (e.g., after determining the medium is idle for a setperiod of time, for a time based on a backoff count, etc.). Once thechannel 524 and/or 526 is idle (e.g., for a set period of time, for atime based on a backoff count, etc.), STA 506B and STA 506C maycommunicate via communication 512. In this way, the peer-to-peer STAs506A-F may be able to communicate via multi-hop links.

In an embodiment, the PRTS message 640 and/or the PCTS message 642 arelegacy compatible frames, which allows legacy STAs to set the NAV. Forexample, the PRTS message 640 may have the same format as a legacy RTSmessage with additional signaling included in reserved bits in framecontrol and/or the SERVICE field indicating that the frame is forpeer-to-peer communications. Likewise, the PCTS message 642 may have thesame format as a legacy CTS message with additional signaling includedin reserved bits in frame control and/or the SERVICE field indicatingthat the frame is for peer-to-peer communications.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process 700 for concurrently allowingstation-to-station transmissions and access point-to-stationtransmissions. In an embodiment, the process 700 may be performed by anAP, such as the AP 504. At block 702, the process 700 determines a firstfrequency channel for transmissions with one or more STAs. At block 704,the process 700 transmits a coordination message to the one or moreSTAs. In an embodiment, the coordination message indicates that thefirst frequency channel is allocated for transmissions between an AP andthe one or more STAs and that a second frequency channel is allocatedfor transmissions between STAs.

At block 706, the process 700 transmits a first data packet to a firstSTA of the one or more STAs using the first frequency channelconcurrently with a transmission of a second data packet between asecond STA of the one or more STAs and a third STA of the one or moreSTAs using the second frequency channel. After block 706, the process700 ends.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process 800 for concurrently allowingstation-to-station transmissions and access point-to-stationtransmissions. In an embodiment, the process 800 may be performed by aSTA, such as one of the STAs 506A-F. At block 802, the process 800transmits, to an AP, a request for an available channel frequency. Atblock 804, the process 800 receives a coordination message from the AP.In an embodiment, the coordination message indicates that a firstfrequency channel is allocated for transmissions between the AP and oneor more STAs and that a second frequency channel is allocated fortransmissions between STAs.

At block 806, the process 800 transmits a first data packet to a firstSTA of the one or more STAs using the second frequency channelconcurrently with a transmission of a second data packet between the APand a second STA of the one or more STAs using the first frequencychannel. After block 806, the process 800 ends.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process 900 for coordinatingstation-to-station transmissions and access point-to-stationtransmissions. In an embodiment, the process 900 may be performed by anAP, such as the AP 504. At block 902, the process 900 determines a firsttime reserved for transmissions between STAs. At block 904, the process900 transmits a coordination message to the one or more STAs. In anembodiment, the coordination message indicates that the first time isreserved for transmissions between STAs.

At block 906, the process 900 transmits a first data packet to a firstSTA of the one or more STAs during a time other than the first time. Inan embodiment, a second STA of the one or more STAs transmits a seconddata packet to a third STA of the one or more STAs during the firsttime. After block 906, the process 900 ends.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process 1000 for coordinatingstation-to-station transmissions and access point-to-stationtransmissions. In an embodiment, the process 1000 may be performed by aSTA, such as one of the STAs 506A-F. At block 1002, the process 1000transmits, to an AP, a peer request to send message requesting a firsttime for transmissions with a first STA. At block 1004, the process 1000receives a coordination message from the AP in response to transmissionof the peer request to send message. In an embodiment, the coordinationmessage indicates that the first time is allocated for transmissionsbetween STAs.

At block 1006, the process 1000 transmits a first data packet to thefirst STA during the first time. In an embodiment, the AP transmits asecond data packet to a second STA during a time other than the firsttime. After block 1006, the process 1000 ends.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process 1100 for coordinatingstation-to-station transmissions and access point-to-stationtransmissions. In an embodiment, the process 1100 may be performed by aSTA, such as one of the STAs 506A-F. At block 1102, the process 1100transmits, to a first STA, a peer request to send message requesting afirst time for transmissions with the first STA. At block 1104, theprocess 1100 receives a coordination message from the first STA inresponse to transmission of the peer request to send message. In anembodiment, the coordination message indicates that the first time isallocated for transmissions between STAs.

At block 1106, the process 1100 transmits a first data packet to thefirst STA during the first time. In an embodiment, an AP transmits asecond data packet to a second STA during a time other than the firsttime. After block 1106, the process 1100 ends.

As used herein, the term “determining” encompasses a wide variety ofactions. For example, “determining” may include calculating, computing,processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in atable, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like.Also, “determining” may include receiving (e.g., receiving information),accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also,“determining” may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishingand the like. Further, a “channel width” as used herein may encompass ormay also be referred to as a bandwidth in certain aspects.

As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of itemsrefers to any combination of those items, including single members. Asan example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c,a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.

The various operations of methods described above may be performed byany suitable means capable of performing the operations, such as varioushardware and/or software component(s), circuits, and/or module(s).Generally, any operations illustrated in the Figures may be performed bycorresponding functional means capable of performing the operations.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules and circuits describedin connection with the present disclosure may be implemented orperformed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor(DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a fieldprogrammable gate array signal (FPGA) or other programmable logic device(PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware componentsor any combination thereof designed to perform the functions describedherein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor may be any commercially available processor,controller, microcontroller or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

In one or more aspects, the functions described may be implemented inhardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implementedin software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as oneor more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media andcommunication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of acomputer program from one place to another. A storage media may be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example,and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM,EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used tocarry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or datastructures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connectionis properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if thesoftware is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote sourceusing a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digitalsubscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio,and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave areincluded in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein,includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray® disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Thus, in some aspects, computer readable medium may comprisenon-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., tangible media). Inaddition, in some aspects computer readable medium may comprisetransitory computer readable medium (e.g., a signal). Combinations ofthe above should also be included within the scope of computer-readablemedia.

Thus, certain aspects may comprise a computer program product forperforming the operations presented herein. For example, such a computerprogram product may comprise a computer readable medium havinginstructions stored (and/or encoded) thereon, the instructions beingexecutable by one or more processors to perform the operations describedherein. For certain aspects, the computer program product may includepackaging material.

The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions forachieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may beinterchanged with one another without departing from the scope of theclaims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions isspecified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may bemodified without departing from the scope of the claims.

Software or instructions may also be transmitted over a transmissionmedium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website,server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologiessuch as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiberoptic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such asinfrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition oftransmission medium.

Further, it should be appreciated that modules and/or other appropriatemeans for performing the methods and techniques described herein can bedownloaded and/or otherwise obtained by a user terminal and/or basestation as applicable. For example, such a device can be coupled to aserver to facilitate the transfer of means for performing the methodsdescribed herein. Alternatively, various methods described herein can beprovided via storage means (e.g., RAM, ROM, a physical storage mediumsuch as a compact disc (CD) or floppy disk, etc.), such that a userterminal and/or base station can obtain the various methods uponcoupling or providing the storage means to the device. Moreover, anyother suitable technique for providing the methods and techniquesdescribed herein to a device can be utilized.

It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the preciseconfiguration and components illustrated above. Various modifications,changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation anddetails of the methods and apparatus described above without departingfrom the scope of the claims.

While the foregoing is directed to aspects of the present disclosure,other and further aspects of the disclosure may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for concurrently allowing devices tocommunicate, comprising: transmitting, to an access point, a request foran available channel frequency; receiving a coordination message fromthe access point, the coordination message indicating that a firstfrequency channel is allocated for transmissions between a first deviceand a second device and that a second frequency channel is allocated fortransmissions between a third device and a fourth device; andtransmitting a first data packet to the fourth device using the secondfrequency channel concurrently with a transmission of a second datapacket between the first device and the second device using the firstfrequency channel.
 2. The method of claim 1, the first device comprisingthe access point, the second device comprising a first station, thethird device comprising a second station, the fourth device comprising athird station.
 3. The method of claim 1, the first device comprising theaccess point, the second device comprising a first station, the thirddevice comprising a second access point, and the fourth devicecomprising a second station.
 4. The method of claim 1, the firstfrequency channel assigned for communications between the first deviceand the second device and the second frequency channel assigned forcommunications between the third device and the fourth device.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, the transmitting a request for an available channelfrequency comprising transmitting a peer request to send messagerequesting permission to transmit to the fourth device using the secondfrequency channel and a third frequency channel.
 6. The method of claim5, the receiving a coordination message comprising receiving a peerclear to send message granting permission to transmit to the fourthdevice using the second frequency channel and not granting permission totransmit to the fourth device using the third frequency channel.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, the first device communicating with the second deviceusing the third frequency channel.
 8. An apparatus for concurrentlyallowing devices to communicate, comprising: means for transmitting, toan access point, a request for an available channel frequency; means forreceiving a coordination message from the access point, the coordinationmessage indicating that a first frequency channel is allocated fortransmissions between a first device and a second device and that asecond frequency channel is allocated for transmissions between a thirddevice and a fourth device; and means for transmitting a first datapacket to a fourth device using the second frequency channelconcurrently with a transmission of a second data packet between thefirst device and the second device using the first frequency channel. 9.The apparatus of claim 8, the first device comprising the access point,the second device comprising a first station, the third devicecomprising a second station, and the fourth device comprising a thirdstation.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, the first device comprising theaccess point, the second device comprising a first station, the thirddevice comprising a second access point, and the fourth devicecomprising a second station.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, the firstfrequency channel assigned for communications between the first deviceand the second device and the second frequency channel assigned forcommunications between the third device and the fourth device.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 8, the means for transmitting a request for anavailable channel frequency comprising means for transmitting a peerrequest to send message requesting permission to transmit to the fourthdevice using the second frequency channel and a third frequency channel.13. The apparatus of claim 12, the means for receiving a coordinationmessage comprising means for receiving a peer clear to send messagegranting permission to transmit to the fourth device using the secondfrequency channel and not granting permission to transmit to the fourthdevice using the third frequency channel.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13,the first device communicating with the second device using the thirdfrequency channel.
 15. The apparatus of claim 8, the means fortransmitting the request for an available channel frequency and themeans for transmitting the first data packet comprising a transmitter,the means for receiving comprising a receiver.
 16. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising code that, when executed, causes anapparatus to: transmit, to an access point, a request for an availablechannel frequency; receive a coordination message from the access point,the coordination message indicating that a first frequency channel isallocated for transmissions between a first device and a second deviceand that a second frequency channel is allocated for transmissionsbetween a third device and a fourth device; and transmit a first datapacket to the fourth device using the second frequency channelconcurrently with a transmission of a second data packet between thefirst device and the second device using the first frequency channel.17. The medium of claim 16, the first device comprising the accesspoint, the second device comprising a first station, the third devicecomprising a second station, and the fourth device comprising a thirdstation.
 18. The medium of claim 16, the first device comprising theaccess point, the second device comprising a first station, the thirddevice comprising a second access point, and the fourth devicecomprising a second station.
 19. The medium of claim 16, the firstfrequency channel assigned for communications between the first deviceand the second device and the second frequency channel assigned forcommunications between the third device and the fourth device.
 20. Themedium of claim 16, further comprising code that, when executed, causesan apparatus to transmit a peer request to send message requestingpermission to transmit to the fourth device using the second frequencychannel and a third frequency channel.
 21. The medium of claim 20,further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus toreceive a peer clear to send message granting permission to transmit tothe fourth device using the second frequency channel and not grantingpermission to transmit to the fourth device using the third frequencychannel.
 22. The medium of claim 21, the first device communicating withthe second device using the third frequency channel.
 23. An apparatusfor concurrently allowing devices to communicate, comprising: atransmitter configured to transmit, to an access point, a request for anavailable channel frequency; and a receiver configured to receive acoordination message from the access point, the coordination messageindicating that a first frequency channel is allocated for transmissionsbetween a first device and a second device and that a second frequencychannel is allocated for transmissions between a third device and afourth device, the transmitter further configured to transmit a firstdata packet to the fourth device using the second frequency channelconcurrently with a transmission of a second data packet between thefirst device and the second device using the first frequency channel.24. The apparatus of claim 23, the first device comprising the accesspoint, the second device comprising a first station, the third devicecomprising a second station, and the fourth device comprising a thirdstation.
 25. The apparatus of claim 23, the first device comprising theaccess point, the second device comprising a first station, the thirddevice comprising a second access point, and the fourth devicecomprising a second station.
 26. The apparatus of claim 23, the firstfrequency channel assigned for communications between the first deviceand the second device and the second frequency channel assigned forcommunications between the third device and the fourth device.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 23, the request for an available channel frequencycomprising a peer request to send message requesting permission totransmit to the fourth device using the second frequency channel and athird frequency channel.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27, the coordinationmessage comprising a peer clear to send message granting permission totransmit to the fourth device using the second frequency channel and notgranting permission to transmit to the fourth device using the thirdfrequency channel.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28, the first devicecommunicating with the second device using the third frequency channel.